“Yes!” Hallie bolted out of the room and down the hall.
My heart started beating a little faster, and it wasn’t long before everyone returned. Ash, holding our little miracle, the doctor, and our caseworker. And Hallie, of course. She was itching to hold Lily again.
“All good news, I hope?” I carefully rose to my feet, not wanting Micah to wake up.
“Yeah,” Ash murmured. His gaze was firmly fixed on the baby girl in his arms, so the doctor took over and confirmed that Lily’s recovery was almost complete. A whole other brand of special care waited for us now, which was why we had a pediatrician picked out already.
Because we simply didn’t know if Lily would suffer any long-term effects. Throughout her childhood, she was going to need checkups so the doctors could keep close watch on every developmental curve.
I shook the doctor’s hand before he wished us a safe trip back to Virginia, and he excused himself.
So did our caseworker. “You take all the time you need, and we’ll see each other back at the group home after lunch.” She gently touched Lily’s cheek and smiled. “Precious little fighter.”
Hallie pounced as soon as we were alone. “Can I hold her now, Daddy? Please?”
“In a moment, baby girl,” Ash chuckled. “Let’s get her out to the truck. You’ll be right next to her car seat.”
I leaned in and kissed his cheek, then peered down at Lily, who was superfocused on grabbing at Ash’s thumb.
Fucking adorable.
“Did youse settle on a place for lunch?” Ash asked.
“Dylan requested McDonald’s,” I said.
“All right, sounds good. I could go for seventeen cheeseburgers and a good cry.”
Fuck, him and me both. But we were in the homestretch now. In a few days, we’d be back in our house, full of life, four kids—four freaking kids! It was indescribably daunting, but my heart had never been so full.
You’re the one who taught me you can say a lot with very few words. That night at the hotel, for instance. You and I stepped outside to the parking lot once the kids were asleep. We were both shaken. We hugged the hell out of each other and just processed. Everything was official, and we could start to relax.
We had our big family.
When you sniffled and cleared your throat, I kissed your scruffy cheek and brushed my thumb under your eyes. You did the same thing for me. Then we smiled, and we shook our heads, and we let out a chuckle, because…holy fuck, we were parents again, and could we believe it?
Forehead to forehead.
Exhale.
“I love you so much.”
“I love you too, baby.”
CHAPTER 7
Four years ago
Badlands National Park
Ash Riley
“I’m so tired, Dad,” Hallie complained. “That was the longest hikeever.”
I came to a stop before I opened the door to the visitor center. “Okay, jump up.” I had Lily strapped to my front; I could handle a nine-year-old on my back.
Ten. She’s fucking ten now.
Unbelievable. Time flew.
